Marco Rubio Defends Military Actions Against Drug Smugglers
On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration has not required Congressional approval for its military strikes targeting several boats in the Caribbean. These vessels are allegedly involved in smuggling drugs into the United States.
Justification for Strikes
During his year-end press conference, Rubio emphasized, “We are presenting every single one of these as justified.” He assured reporters that the administration is fully aware of the activities aboard these vessels, saying, “We know who is on those boats, we’ve been tracking them from the very beginning.”
Legal Criteria for Military Engagement
Rubio explained that the administration carefully considers the legal criteria before launching strikes. “There are boat strikes that we don’t take because they don’t meet the legal criteria,” he noted. This meticulous approach allows them to gather intelligence effectively, ensuring compliance with legal standards.
Confidence in Operations
The Secretary of State expressed confidence in the military’s efforts, stating, “I’m very confident about that effort, it’s been very successful.” He highlighted that ongoing intelligence operations contribute to the administration’s ability to justify their actions legally to interested parties, including lawmakers.
Ongoing Vigilance
Rubio addressed the importance of maintaining vigilance, affirming that to date, there has been nothing that necessitated notifying Congress or seeking approval for military action. “Nothing has happened that requires us to notify Congress or cross the threshold into war,” he stated.
Future Speculations
When asked about potential escalations, Rubio refrained from commenting on hypothetical scenarios, stating, “I will not speculate about things that haven’t happened and may never happen.” His focus remains on current operations and their justifications.
Conclusion and Updates
This developing story highlights the balance between national security and legal protocols. As the situation unfolds, further updates will provide clarity on the administration’s ongoing military efforts in the region and their implications for U.S. foreign policy.
